When setting up a new website, or even introducing a new design to your current site, where would you go for advice? Opinions? Reviews?

Try the nearest webmaster forum, where you will find many people in a similar situation to yourself. No matter how good your website looks, you will always get differing views with some liking the site, some not sure and some dead against it, but if the majority are happy then great - if not, then maybe you need to look again.

There is no better place to ask for constructive criticism than a webmaster forum along the lines of Sitepoint and Digitalpoint, two of the largest and most active around. Do not expect everyone to fall over in awe of your new site, as you will probably receive a number of comments which you did not expect. Take all of the comments on board, and if a number of people mention the same issue, then you should probably have a look again and see what you have done wrong, or even what you have done right. Asking for constructive comments is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign that you are willingly to see what the outside world think of your ideas.

Never hang too long on the outright rude comments, as you will always get someone trying to pull you down, but rather go for the respectable comments with comments you can relate to and understand. Many of those who review your site will have been in a similar situation themselves, and they may be able to pass on detailed instructions, whether this be about the colours, the design or even the positioning of your adverts.

Do not ignore critical comments, rather read them, break them down and take them on board - they may just be the different between a site which attracts the masses, and one which crumbles.